EP2503914A1

EP2503914A1 - Invisible crimp decoration part

Info

Publication number: EP2503914A1
Application number: EP10776674A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal Grossenbacher; Julien Meier; Michel Caillaud; Stéphane Lauper; Arlette-Elsa Emch
Original assignee: Dress Your Body AG
Current assignee: Dress Your Body AG
Priority date: 2009-11-25
Filing date: 2010-11-09
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-09
Also published as: US9596910B2; US20160073746A1; JP2013511365A; JP5379311B2; RU2546501C2; CN102665478A; EP2503914B1; HK1175673A1; US9345294B2; CN102665478B; RU2012126149A; US20120225314A1; PT2503914E; ES2480280T3; WO2011064092A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a decoration part (1, 3, 5) comprising a plurality of stones (2) and a fixation device (7, 7', 47, 47') for securing the stones (2) relative to each other. According to the invention, the fixation device (7, 7', 47, 47') comprises a single electrodeposited base (9, 9', 49, 49') having a shape corresponding to a portion of said stones in order to secure all the stones (2) relative to each other without any stress, while girdles (6) of stones (2) are mounted side by side relative to each other such that said single base is masked. The invention also relates to a method for making such a part (1, 3, 5). The invention pertains to the field of jewelry or timepieces.

Description

Case 301 6 E

Invisible set piece

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a piece of invisible set decoration and, more specifically, a decorative piece including a jewelery or jewelery item forming a paved stone suitable for decorating a surface.

Background of the invention

It is known to crimp precious, semi-precious or synthetic stones with claws, grains or rails. There are also crimps of the invisible type which solidarize the stones by their breech or their crown. In the current state of the techniques of invisible seam, there are many methods (by milling, casting, clipping, screwing, etc.) which according to well-defined systems have many disadvantages: the natures, geometries and dimensions of the stones are often limited, the heights, the depths and the angles of the throats are often constraining, the scratches, grits and cracks of stones during the operations exist, even the repairs during a change of stone cause grits on the annexed stones, etc. Also, the majority of these methods require, during the crimping operation, the manual intervention of a crimper. Even if the latter is highly qualified, the risk of loss, scratching, cracking or scratching of the stones is permanent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above by proposing an industrial manufacturing process making it possible to obtain a homogeneous assembly of the stones, a shape diversity, improved accuracy and better quality fixation at lower cost.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a decoration piece comprising a plurality of stones and a device for fixing the stones relative to one another, characterized in that the fixing device comprises a single electroplated base of corresponding shape to the a part of said stones for attaching all the stones without constraint to each other and in that the stone layers are mounted edge to edge relative to each other so that said single base is masked.

Advantageously according to the invention, the base is formed as a function of the dispersions of the stones due to the sizes, which makes it possible to avoid generating internal stresses in the stones. The base, because it is electro-deposited, adapts directly to the shapes of the stones.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

- The fixing device attaches the stones relative to each other by their cylinder head or by their crown;

- the single base covers or not all the cylinder heads or crowns of said stones;

the fastening device comprises at least one groove made in at least one of the stones at their cylinder head or crown so that the single base, of shape at least partially corresponding to each stone, forms at least one hook for each of said stones;

said at least one groove forms two grooves in two faces of the stone;

the single base comprises at least one electrically conductive layer deposited on the stones; the single base comprises a second layer electrodeposited from said at least one electrically conductive layer in order to improve the strength of the decoration piece;

said at least one electrically conductive layer is used as a reflection layer;

the single base comprises pure silver and a protective layer covering the silver in order to prevent its tarnishing by oxidation.

The invention also relates to an article of jewelry or a jewelery and a timepiece characterized in that they include, reported, a decorative piece according to one of the previous variants.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a decoration part characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

(a) bring several stones;

b) solidariser each stone against a support, the layers of stones being mounted edge to edge relative to each other to form a stone pavement;

c) depositing a first electrically conductive layer on at least a portion of said stones;

d) electroplating a second layer from the first electrically conductive layer to form a single base; e) removing the decoration piece thus formed by separating each of said stones relative to the support.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

the process comprises, between step a) and step b), step f): etching at least one groove in the yokes of said stones so that the single base electrodeposited during step d) fills each of said at least one groove forming a fixing hook and, in step c), the deposition of the first layer is performed on at least a portion of the cylinder heads of the stones; the method comprises, between step a) and step b), step f): etching at least one groove in crowns of said stones so that the single base electrodeposited during step d) fills each of said at least one groove forming a fixing hook and, in step c), the deposition of the first layer is performed on at least a portion of the crowns of the stones;

the support has imprints for receiving the stones; the method comprises, between step c) and step d), step g): forming a frame around said pad to circumscribe the electrolytic deposition of step d) above said stone sheets;

step c) is carried out by spraying a fluid comprising silver powder.

Brief description of the drawings

Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a stone fixing step according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a sectional representation of the end of the fixing step according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial representation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a representation of FIG. 3 according to an alternative of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a representation similar to FIG. 3 of a first deposition step according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of a second deposition step according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a sectional representation of the end of the second deposition step according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 is a sectional representation of a decorative part according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 9 is a sectional representation of a decoration part according to a variant of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view from above of a decoration piece according to the invention;

- Figure 1 1 is a top view of a decorative part according to a variant of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view from above of a decoration piece according to another variant of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the manufacturing method according to the invention;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are representations of stone fixing steps according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged partial representation of Fig. 16; FIG. 18 is a representation similar to FIG. 17 of a first deposition step according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 19 is a sectional representation of the end of the second deposition step according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 20 is a sectional representation of a decorative part according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 21 is a sectional representation of a decorative part according to a variant of a second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12, 20 and 21, the invention relates to generally annotated decoration pieces 1, 3 and 5 which can be reported, in particular, on jewelery or jewelery articles and timepieces (especially at the level of the dial and the dressing). However, these decorative pieces 1, 3, 5 can not be limited to the above applications. For example, the decorative pieces 1, 3, 5 could also be reported on other objects such as, for example, glasses.

More particularly, the invention relates to an attachment device 7, 7 ', 47, 47' of the invisible crimped type for attaching several precious, semi-precious or synthetic stones 2 by their yoke 4 or by their crown 18 of so that the layers 6 of the stones 2 (also called rondistes) are mounted edge to edge so that the tables 8 of the stones 2 are substantially coplanar.

Thus, whatever the distribution and / or the shape of the stones 2 used as illustrated for example in FIGS. 10 to 12, the fastening device 7, 7 ', 47, 47' comprises a single base 9, 9 ', 49, 49 'tying the stones 2 to each other very precisely. Advantageously according to the invention and contrary to what is usually done to produce an invisible set, the material of the base 9, 9 ', 49, 49' is made as and as and not removed and then deformed as and when .

It is immediately understood that the single base 9, 9 ', 49, 49', which is preferably mainly electrodeposited, thus allows to perfectly cover the cylinder heads 4 or rings 18 of the stones 2 with a minimum of mechanical stresses transmitted to the stones.

Thus, advantageously according to the invention, the base 9, 9 ', 49, 49' is natively corresponding in shape to the yokes 4 or to the rings 18 of the stones 2 whatever the dispersions thereof. This is made possible by the use of a manufacturing method 21 according to the invention which will be explained hereinafter and which comprises in particular a step 29 of electroplating. According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the single base 9, 9 'comprises at least two layers 1 1, 1 1' and 13, 13 '. In the examples of FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 9, the respective thicknesses of the layers 11, 11 'and 13, 13' are not on the same scale for a better understanding. Indeed, the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'is actually much smaller than the thickness shown in Figures 5, 7, 8, 9 and very small compared to the thickness of the second layer 13, 13'.

The first layer 1 1, 1 1 'is intended to adhere to the yokes 4 of the stones 2 but also to provide an electrically conductive layer capable of serving as a germination surface for the second layer 13, 13' which will be electrodeposited. If the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'has a preponderant role compared to the final aesthetic of the decoration piece

I, 3, 5, the second layer 13, 13 'is, it, mainly used for its mechanical characteristics, that is to say, aims to improve the strength of the decoration part 1, 3, 5.

Thus, preferably according to the invention, the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'comprises a high reflection material to be used as a reflection layer of ambient light. It is understood that such a layer 1 1, 1 1 'thus makes it possible not to reduce too much the brightness of the decoration piece 1, 3, 5.

By way of example, depending on the products and / or the materials on which the decoration part 1, 3, 5 is attached, the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'may comprise gold and / or silver and / or platinum and / or palladium and / or iridium and / or copper and / or titanium and / or aluminum and / or nickel and / or tin and / or zinc. The second layer 13, 13 ', which is, as explained above, much thicker than the first layer

I 1, 1 1 ', can take from the latter the same materials or their alloys.

Preferably, when the single base 9, 9 'will be chosen in silver, a protective layer, such as, for example, nitride of silicon to a thickness of a few microns, will be used in recovery to avoid tarnishing due to the oxidation of silver.

In a first variant illustrated in FIG. 8, the fastening device 7 comprises a single base 9, the two layers 1 1, 13 of which cover all the yokes 4 of the stones 2. This first variant allows maximum brightness and / or aesthetics. very homogeneous of the decoration piece 1, 3, 5.

In a second variant illustrated in FIG. 9, the fixing device 7 'has a single base 9' whose two layers 11 ', 13' do not cover all the yokes 4 of the stones 2. As illustrated in FIG. 9 , the single base 9 'thus forms a mesh which follows the leaflet 6 of the stones 2. This second variant improves the total internal reflection of the stones 2 used for the decoration part 1, 3, 5. It also makes it possible to not having to open the single base 9 'by mechanical means, for example, using a crimping tool, and thus to avoid scratching the stones 2.

According to a second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 21, the single base 49, 49 'thus comprises at least two layers 51, 51' and 53, 53 '. As for the first embodiment, in the examples of FIGS. 18 to 21, the respective thicknesses of the layers 51, 51 'and 53, 53' are not on the same scale either.

The first layer 51, 51 'is intended to adhere on the rings 18 and, possibly, on the tables 8 of the stones 2 but also to provide an electrically conductive layer capable of serving as a germination surface for the second layer 53, 53' which will be electrodeposited. If the first layer 51, 51 'has a preponderant role compared to the final aesthetic of the decorative part 1, 3, 5, the second layer 53, 53' is, it, mainly used for its mechanical characteristics, c ' that is to say, aims to improve the strength of the decoration piece 1, 3, 5. Thus, as for the first embodiment, preferably, the first layer 51, 51 'comprises a high reflection material to be used as a reflection layer of the ambient light so as not to reduce the As an example, depending on the products and / or materials to which the decoration part 1, 3, 5 is attached, the layers 51, 51 'and 53, 53 may include materials of the same type as those of the layers 1 1, 1 1 'and 13, 13' respectively.

Preferably, when the single base 49, 49 'will be chosen silver, a protective layer, such as silicon nitride to a thickness of a few microns, will be used in recovery to avoid tarnishing due to oxidation of money.

In a first variant illustrated in FIG. 20, the fixing device 47 comprises a single base 49 whose two layers 51, 53 cover all the crowns 18 and the tables 8 of the stones 2. This first variant allows a maximum brightness and / or or a very homogeneous aesthetic of the decoration piece 1, 3, 5.

In a second variant illustrated in FIG. 21, the fixing device 47 'comprises a single base 49' whose two layers 51 ', 53' cover all the crowns 18 but not the tables 8 of the stones 2. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the single base 49 'thus forms a mesh which follows the laminate 6 stones 2. This second variant improves the total internal reflection of the stones 2 used for the decoration part 1, 3, 5. It also allows not having to open the single base 49 'by mechanical means, for example, using a crimping tool, and thus to avoid scratching the stones 2. Of course, the base 49' can alternatively not cover only part of the rings 18 or all of the rings 18 and a part of the tables 8 of the stones 2 without departing from the scope of the invention.

The decorative part 1, 3, 5 thus formed according to one of the embodiments, even in more or less complex forms, such as, for example, For example, a waveform 3 illustrated in FIG. 11, a shape 5 with no particular symmetry shown in FIG. 12, or a fully symmetrical shape 1 illustrated in FIG. 10, can therefore easily be attached to a final product by via its single base 9, 9 ', 49, 49'.

According to an alternative of the invention visible in FIGS. 3, 5, 8, 9, 17, 18, 20 and 21, for the purpose of improving the fastening force of the fixing device 7, 7 ', 47, 47' each of the stones 2 has at least one groove 10, 50 respectively at the yokes 4 and at the crowns 18. Because the base 9, 9 ', 49, 49' corresponds perfectly to the shape of the yoke 4 or of the crown 18 of the stones 2, it is understood that the base 9, 9 ', 49, 49' then forms hooks which hold each stone 2 more firmly by its yoke 4 or its crown 18. Preferably, each stone 2 has two grooves 10, 50 on two opposite facets of its yoke 4 or crown 18. However, each groove 10, 50 may also form a peripheral groove on each yoke 4 or each ring 18 to maximize the mechanical fastening force of the fixing device 7, 7 ', 47, 47'.

According to another alternative of the invention, the single base 9, 9 ', 49, 49' can also directly form the body of the final product which avoids having to bring the decoration piece 1, 3, 5 onto another body.

The method of invention 21 will now be explained in connection with FIGS. 1 to 9 and 13 to 21. In a first step 23, the method 21 consists in providing stones 2 whose laminates 6 allow their edge-to-edge mounting, for example to obtain the variant embodiments of FIGS. 10, 11 and 12; to say a homogeneous plan of stones 2.

In a second step 25, the stones 2 are secured one after the other on a support 12, 52. Preferably, the method 21 comprising an electroplating step 29, the support 12, 52 comprises an electrically insulating material such as polypropylene or any other material compatible with the method 21.

In the case of the first embodiment, as best seen in Figure 2, the face 15 of the support 12 which are reported stones 2 must have a good flatness. Preferably, each stone 2 is secured to the face 15 of the support 12 by gluing its table 8 by means of a glue of the cyanoacrylate type. Of course, other types of joining compatible with the rest of the process steps 21 or even other types of glue are conceivable.

Figures 3 and 4 show a focused magnification on the layers 6 of the stones 2 according to two alternatives of the invention explained above. It is thus immediately understood that the size accuracy of the 6 or rondist layers of the stones 2 is of great importance. Indeed, according to the invention the laminates 6 must be mounted edge to edge to limit the size of the interstices between the stones 2.

Thus, as explained above, in the case where it is not desired to improve the fastening force of the fixing device 7, 7 ', the stones 2 do not have grooves 10 and are brought against each other at the of their laminates 6 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. In this case, it is understood that only the chemical interactions between the materials ensure the fixing of stones.

In the case where it is desired to improve the fastening force of the fixing device 7, 7 ', an intermediate step 24 between the step 23 and the securing step 25 is necessary. The step 24 shown in broken lines in FIG. 13 is intended to engrave at least one groove 10 in at least a part of the yokes 4 of the stones 2. Thus, during the step 25 of joining, the stones 2 are brought to them. against each other at their louvers 6 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In the embodiment of Figure 3, we can see that the grooves 10 of two stones 2 are vis-à-vis. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the support 12 may also comprise a jig 14 of dedicated shape to help start the plane of stones 2. This jig 14 can thus form a square as in FIG. forming a symmetrical decoration piece 1 or a curved body to form a decoration piece 3 in wave. At the end of step 25, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a block of stones 2 secured by their table 8 to the face 15 of the support 12 is thus obtained.

The method 21 continues with a step 27 intended to form the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'as illustrated in FIG. 5. As explained above, the first layer 1 1, 1 1' adheres to the yokes 4 of the stones 2 to serve, on one side, of germination surface for the second layer 13, 13 'and, on the other side, reflection layer. Thus, according to the variant chosen, the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'can cover each yoke 4 partially or completely on all or part of the yokes 4. This means that the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 can also be combined to adapt the aesthetics of the decoration piece 1, 3, 5.

Indeed, advantageously according to the invention, only the parts which will be covered with the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'during step 27, will comprise the sole base 9, 9' in the end. It is therefore understood that the aesthetic appearance diversity of the decoration part 1, 3, 5 does not make the manufacturing process 21 more difficult than the existing manual processes.

Step 27 can be performed according to several different methods. However, the projection of a conductive varnish, such as for example a fluid comprising silver powder (grains between 1 and 10 microns), is preferred. Indeed, if the precision of the laminate 6 is not perfectly controlled, it may be preferable to deposit a varnish having a better covering power of 6 layers to ensure homogeneous growth in the next step 29. In addition, the Spray deposition method gives a very good aesthetic effect to each stone 2 after step 29 electroplating. Physical vapor deposition or chemical metallization deposition in addition to or instead of the above deposition are also possible. In the case of physical vapor deposition, a bonding layer, interposed between the stone surface and the first layer 1 1, 1 1 'of a few nanometers, for example chromium, zirconium or titanium, can be used to improve adhesion while remaining substantially invisible.

At the end of step 27, it is therefore understood that the layer 1 1, 1 1 'prevents, especially at the level of the leaflet 6, any passage between the yokes 4 and the rings 18 to protect the crowns 18 and, incidentally, the tables 8, of any deposit during the phase 29 of electroplating.

According to another alternative explained above, step 27 may be followed by step 28 in dashed lines and then step 29 or directly from step 29. Thus, if the decoration piece is not intended to be reported on another element, the method 21 can directly go to step 29 to form a single base 9, 9 'which will form the raw body of the final element by electrically connecting the layer 1 1, 1 1' .

However, preferably, a frame 16 is reported during step 28 to circumscribe the electrolytic deposition of step 29 above the layers 6 of the stones 2. Of course, the frame 16 can also be used to to make a single base 9, 9 'which will form a blank of the final element. If the frame 16 is used, that is to say if the step 28 is performed, the frame 16 will preferably comprise an electrically conductive track 17 for connecting the first layer 1 1, 1 1 '. In addition, the walls of the frame 16 surrounding the stones 2 are preferably electrically conductive.

The method 21 is continued by the step 29 of electroplating the second layer 13, 13 'from the first layer 1 1, 1 1' in order to finish the production of the single base 9, 9 'as illustrated in FIG. 7. Finally, in a last step 31 of the method 21, the decoration piece 1, 3, 5 thus formed is detached from the support 12 and, if it is used, from the frame 16.

Of course, between steps 29 and 31 or, optionally, after step 31, a machining and / or polishing step may be carried out in order to modify the shape of the single base 9, 9 ', either to form the final element, either to adapt the shape in order to be related to the final element.

In the case of the second embodiment, as best seen in Figures 14 to 16, the support 52 which are reported stones 2 is substantially different than that of the first embodiment. Indeed, in the second embodiment, the stones 2 are not reported by their tables 8 substantially flat but by their yokes 4 substantially pyramidal.

Thus, advantageously according to the invention, the support 52 according to the second embodiment comprises a plate 59, as can be seen in FIG. 14, formed of easily deformable material such as, for example, an SnBi alloy. The plate 59 is intended to be stamped with imprints 60 of substantially identical shape and distribution to the yokes 4 of the stones 2 as can be seen in FIG. 15. This plate 59 punched according to the second embodiment makes it possible to work according to similar first embodiment.

Preferably, each stone 2 is secured in a recess 60 on the face 55 of the support 52 by gluing its cylinder head 4 by means of an adhesive similar to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 represents a focussed enlargement on the laminates 6 of the stones 2. It is understood, as for the first embodiment, that the precision of the size of the 6 or rondist layers of the stones 2 is also very important. Indeed, the layers 6 must be mounted edge to edge to limit the size of the interstices between the stones 2.

The example illustrated in FIG. 17 is that in which it is desired to improve the fastening force of the fixing device 47, 47 ', that is to say in which the stones 2 have at least one groove 50 at their crown 18. However, as in Figure 4 of the first embodiment, these grooves 50 may not be present.

Thus, in the case of FIG. 17, an intermediate step 24 shown in broken lines in FIG. 13 is intended to engrave at least one groove 50 in at least a portion of the rings 18 of the stones 2. Thus, during the step 25, the stones 2 are brought against each other at their louvers 6 as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, it can be seen that the grooves 50 of two stones 2 are vis-à-vis.

Compared to the first embodiment, it is no longer necessary to use a template. In fact, the imprints 60 make it possible to distribute the stones 2 relative to each other. In the second embodiment, however, it is necessary at the end of step 25 to apply a slight constraint on the tables 8 of the stones 2 in order to perfect their flatness and to reduce as much as possible the interstices between the layers 6 of the stones 2. At the end of step 25, we thus obtain a block of stones 2 secured by their yoke 4 on the face 55 of the support 52.

The method 21 continues with a step 27 intended to form the first layer 51, 51 'as illustrated in FIG. 18. As explained above, the first layer 51, 51' adheres to the rings 18 and, possibly to the tables 8, stones 2 for serving, on one side, a sprouting surface for the second layer 53, 53 'and, on the other side, a reflection layer. Thus, according to the variant chosen, the first layer 51, 51 'may cover each crown 18 partially or totally on all or part of the rings 18 and possibly each table 8 partially or totally on all or part of the tables 8. This means that the embodiments of FIGS. 20 and 21 may also be combined to adapt the aesthetics of the decorative part 1, 3, 5. Indeed, advantageously according to the invention, only the parts which will be covered with the first layer 51, 51 'during step 27, will comprise the sole base 49, 49' in the end. It is therefore understood that the aesthetic appearance diversity of the decoration part 1, 3, 5 does not make the manufacturing process 21 more difficult than the existing manual processes. As for the first embodiment, step 27 is preferably performed by spraying an electrically conductive varnish, such as for example a fluid comprising silver powder (grains between 1 and 10 microns). However, other types of deposit in addition to or in lieu of the deposit above are also possible.

At the end of step 27, it is therefore understood that the layer 51, 51 'prevents, especially at the level of the leaflets 6, any passage between the yokes 4 and the rings 18 in order to protect the yokes 4 from any deposit during the phase 29 of electroplating.

According to another alternative explained above, step 27 may be followed by step 28 in dashed lines and then step 29 or directly from step 29. Thus, if the decoration piece is not intended to be reported on another element, the method 21 can directly go to step 29 to form a single base 49, 49 'which will form the raw body of the final element by electrically connecting the layer 51, 51'.

However, preferably, a frame 56 is reported during step 28 to circumscribe the electrolytic deposition of step 29 above the layers 6 stones 2. Of course, the frame 56 can also be used to realize a single base 49, 49 'which will form a rough outline of the final element. If the frame 56 is used, it will have the same specificities as the frame 16 of the first embodiment.

With respect to the first embodiment, the second embodiment using a plate 59, preferably the material will be adapted to be easily melted, i.e. having a melting point. low, as for example for the SnBi alloy around 80 ° C, in addition to being soft. Indeed, the step 31 is thus facilitated by melting the plate 59 which releases the yokes 4 of the stones 2 of the support 52 without changing the nature of the base 49, 49 '.

The method 21 continues with the step 29 of electroplating the second layer 53, 53 'from the first layer 51, 51' in order to finish the realization of the single base 49, 49 'as illustrated in FIG. 19. Finally, in a last step 31 of the method 21, the decoration piece 1, 3, 5 thus formed is separated from the support 52 and, if it is used, from the frame 56.

Of course, between steps 29 and 31 or, optionally, after step 31, a machining and / or polishing step may be carried out in order to modify the shape of the single base 49, 49 ', either to form the final element, either to adapt the shape in order to be related to the final element.

On reading the above explanations of the two embodiments, it is understood that the method 21 allows a wide variety of decoration pieces such as, for example, those of Figures 10 to 12 having paved geometries with various stone shapes without its implementation is more difficult which allows its application to all kinds of precious stones, semi-precious or synthetic cheaply.

In addition, the yokes 4 or crowns 18 may be all or partially perforated or not without the need for retouching steps. It is also remarkable, according to the invention, that the stones 2 can be more or less high and / or of different shapes and / or distributed more or less symmetrically and that the heights, angles and depths of the grooves 10, 50 are more or less large, without the complexity of the process 21 is increased. Finally, according to the invention, the manufacturing conditions are improved by working directly through the yoke 4 or the crown 18 of the stones 2 whereas the current methods do not allow it and oblige to continually return the work to verify the good assembly in the stones 2.

This feature is particularly advantageous in after-sales operations requiring the replacement of a single stone or part of the stones. Thus, by the current mechanical methods of invisible seam, remove a stone is very difficult and induces a great risk of scratching, cracking or crimping stones close to the one to be replaced. On the contrary, advantageously according to the invention, it is possible to spare the adjacent stones, remove, for example chemically, the metal of the stone to be removed and then pick a new stone in place of the old and reform the entirety of the unique base by significantly reducing the risk of scratching, cracking or creasing of other pavement stones.

The only restriction of the method 21 concerns the respect of the heights of 6 or rondiste layers in order to avoid the formation of interstices between the stones 2 during step 25.

Finally, another advantage of the manufacturing method 21 according to the invention relates to saving time and, incidentally, cost. Indeed, not only the manufacturing method 21 is much shorter compared to a manual embodiment but, in addition, the steps 27 and / or 29 of several decoration pieces 1, 3, 5 can be made at the same time from of several supports 12, 52 or from a single support 12, 52.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible of various variations and modifications that will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, other variants than those shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are possible.

In addition, it is perfectly conceivable that the face 15, 55 of the support 12, 52 is not flat to allow the realization of a decorating part 1, 3, 5 whose tables 8 stones 2 are not coplanar. Finally, it may well be envisaged that the template 14 of the first embodiment is replaced by the use of a punching of the type of the second embodiment of shape and distribution substantially identical to the crown sets 18 - tables 8. to facilitate removal of the plate 59 in step 31, the support 52 may be hollow to leave at least a portion of the rear of the plate 59 accessible.

Regardless of the embodiment, alternatively, the plate 59 comprising the cavities 60 may also be made from a resin molded on the cylinder heads 4 of the stones 2 that will actually be used. Thus, the stones 2 instead of being assembled one by one in a footprint 60 of the plate 59 and then pressed under a slight constraint, would be directly overmolded by the resin, which would be mounted on the support 12, 52.

Claims

1. Decorative piece (1, 3, 5) comprising a plurality of stones (2) and a fixing device (7, 7 ', 47, 47') of the stones (2) relative to one another characterized in that the fixing device (7, 7 ', 47, 47') comprises a single electrode-shaped base (9, 9 ', 49, 49') of corresponding shape to a part of said stones making it possible to fasten all the stones without constraint (2 relative to one another and in that the stone layers (6) are mounted edge-to-edge relative to each other so that said single base is masked.

2. Part (1, 3, 5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fixing device (7, 7 ') attaches the stones relative to each other by their yoke (4).

3. Part (1, 3, 5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the single base (9) covers all of the yokes (4) of said stones.

4. Part (1, 3, 5) according to claim 2, characterized in that the single base (9 ') leaves uncovered part of the yokes (4) of said stones.

5. Part (1, 3, 5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (47, 47 ') attaches the stones relative to each other by their crown (18).

6. Part (1, 3, 5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the single base (49) covers all of the tables (8) of said stones.

7. Part (1, 3, 5) according to claim 5, characterized in that the single base (49 ') leaves uncovered part of the tables (8) of said stones.

8. Part (1, 3, 5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (7, 7 ', 47, 47') comprises at least one groove (10, 50) made in at least one of the stones (2) so that the single base (9, 9 ', 49, 49'), of at least partially corresponding shape, forms at least one hook for each of said at least one of the stones (2).

9. Part (1, 3, 5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said at least one groove (10, 50) forms two grooves in two faces of each stone (2).

10. Part (1, 3, 5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single base (9, 9 ', 49, 49') comprises at least one electrically conductive layer (1 1, 1 1 ' , 51, 51 ') deposited on the stones (2).

1 1. Part (1, 3, 5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the single base (9, 9 ', 49, 49') comprises a second layer

(13, 13 ', 53, 53') electrodeposited from said at least one electrically conductive layer to improve the strength of the decorative piece (1, 3, 5).

12. Part (1, 3, 5) according to claim 10 or 1 1, characterized in that said at least one electrically conductive layer (1 1, 1 1 ', 51,

51 ') is used as a reflection layer.

13. Part (1, 3, 5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single base (9, 9 ', 49, 49') comprises pure silver and a protective layer covering the silver to avoid oxidation tarnishing.

14. Timepiece characterized in that it comprises at least one decoration piece (1, 3, 5) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Article of jewelry or jewelry characterized in that it comprises at least one decoration piece (1, 3, 5) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A method of manufacturing (21) a decoration piece (1, 3, 5) characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

a) equipping (23) with several stones (2);

b) securing (25) each stone (2) against a support (12, 52), the laminates (6) of the stones (2) being mounted edge to edge relative to each other to form a stone block (2). );

c) depositing (27) a first layer (1 1, 1 1 ', 51, 51') electrically conductive on at least a portion of said stones;

d) electroplating (29) a second layer (13, 13 ', 53, 53') from the first electrically conductive layer to form a single base (9, 9 ', 49, 49');

e) removing (31) the decoration piece (1, 3, 5) thus formed by separating each of said stones from the support

(12, 52).

17. Method (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, between step a) and step b), the following step:

f) etching (24) at least one groove (10) in yokes (4) of said stones so that the single base (9, 9 ') electrodeposited in step d) fills each of said at least one groove (10) forming a fastening hook;

and in that, in step c), the deposition of the first layer (1 1, 1 1 ') is performed on at least a portion of the yokes (4) of the stones (2).

18. Process (21) according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises, between step a) and step b), the following step:

f) etching (24) at least one groove (50) in rings (18) of said stones so that the single base (49,49 ') electrodeposited in step d) fills each of said at least one groove (50) forming a fastening hook; and in that, in step c), the deposition of the first layer (51, 51 ') is performed on at least a portion of the rings (18) of the stones (2).

19. Method (21) according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the support (12, 52) has imprints (60) for receiving the stones (2).

20. Process (21) according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that it comprises, between step c) and step d), the following step:

g) forming (28) a frame (16, 56) around said pad to circumscribe the electrodeposition of step d) above said stone sheets (2).

21. Process (21) according to one of Claims 16 to 20, characterized in that step c) is carried out by spraying a fluid comprising silver powder.